Continuation of my quest for easy opening knives.

coaltrain

coaltrain

Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Messages
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A few month back I received a lot of great help from many forum members when I posted about looking for knives that I can open easily. I have a severe case of RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) that has affected me in the past 3 years which is gradually getting worse. Not looking for a pity party here - just looking for more options of these beautiful traditional knives that I can work with. I thought I would post a little summary with what I have tried so far, and what works for me.

Risking getting modded here, I will say first off that my regular carry knives each day are one of my three Benchmade Axis Lock knives. They just simply work perfectly for me. But, they have no character in my eyes, hence the reason for my quest into the traditionals.

#12 GEC toothpick - turns out to be my favorite pattern. I can open it fairly easily - a keeper.
Schatt & Morgan large toothpick - the best of my traditional bunch for opening and love the pattern.
Fighting Bull/Robeson large toothpick - also very easy for me to open and so beautiful I don't want to carry them.
Case Trapperlock - perfect! The best of the bunch as far as easy opening and right frame size. I'm afraid to mention this one as I feel I am going to get modded for it not being a traditional knife......
#15 Boys knife & #15 Charlow - nice and easy opening but the frame is too small. Along with the opening characteristics of these knives, I found I need a knife at least 4" in length to be able to hold on to.
Case Back Pocket - jury is still out as I sent the one I got off to case for repair - didn't have enough time to work with it.
Queen Country Cousin Sodbuster - love the pattern but way too hard to open - to be sold shortly.

I've spent a considerable amount of money gathering these knives to see for myself how they will work for me. I'm starting to sell off the ones that I just can't use. So now I am in search of the next great pattern that will work for me. I will likely get another Case Trapperlock in the near future so I have a couple with different handle materials. I'm about done with the large toothpicks - I just love them but they are basically going to be for collector/display purposes. The smaller GEC's - I just love the build quality and the feel in my hand, but just too small for me to hang on to.

My thoughts moving forward:

Chambriad Compagnon - very close to ordering one today from the recommendations of G2 - on the expensive side.
Fontenille-Pataud Laguiole - has been recommended to me that it should work for me but very expensive.
Case Trapperlock - getting a second one just because.....

I feel like I am getting off on a tangent here with my thoughts moving forward and the reason for this post. With what I have now learned I am zeroing in on what will work for me. Now what I need are some suggestions of other traditional knives - I feel I am missing out on some other patterns in my search - need to focus!

Thanks for any input!
 
I'm waiting on a Michael Morris Friction Folder..... you might be interested in something similar.

A fixed blade might be another option. There are some real classy fixed blades out there..... some are even pocketable. Neck knives might be good around the house.
 
Stan, I see a Laguiole had been mentioned to you already... and yeah, the better made brands of that French pattern knife, can be pricey. I only own one specimen, an 11cm long version (in closed blade position). I also received my 9cm version yesterday.. but that one is to be gifted to my my future son in law. My opinion on these (both made by Forge De Laguiole of France), is that they are unique and well made. The fact that so much of the blade remains exposed when folded, may be a great advantage for you... But, and it may be a major but in your situation, the springs are stiff. The pull is definitely not a light one. So, if getting more finger area is all you need to be able to really get a hold on the blade, then the Laguiole has got your name all over it... but just remember that their pulls are on the heavy side. As for size, the 11cm version closed is probably your starting size (or bigger). The 7 and 9 cm versions may not allow you the grasping area of the blade you would benefit from. Just my two cents, buddy, good luck :-)
 
I discovered fixed blade EDC about 2 or 3 years ago. With the pocket sheaths, they are a very easy EDC.

Bark River Essential & pocket sheath




Bark River Mini Fox River, shown with pocket & their belt sheaths.



 
Stan, the Chambriard is easy to open but really quite hard to shut! So, you may have to ponder that one. Some excellent handle options on this knife and filework too.

I've been thinking about buying a GEC Cuban Pen, it's around 4.25" single spring and two blades, plenty to get hold of but I don't know what the W&T is like.

An EZ-Open 85 from GEC is well worth considering, I think it's big enough to get a good grip on, about 3.8"

Thanks, Will
 
I'm surprised you don't own an Opinel. It's a friction folder so it's very easy to open. Many sizes to choose from. Has a head end similar to a toothpick design for a firm grip. Size 6 and up has a locking ring.
 
Double Ott said:
I discovered fixed blade EDC about 2 or 3 years ago. With the pocket sheaths, they are a very easy EDC.

Bark River Essential & pocket sheath




Bark River Mini Fox River, shown with pocket & their belt sheaths.



Click to expand...

i wonder why these fixed blades or similar ones haven't caught on or maybe i'm wrong but don't seem as popular as the folding traditional. they look edc friendly with the sheath, and easy to deploy.
 
Hi Stan. Here's some feedback on a few that have a lighter pull from my stable of knives. The first is the Schatt and Morgan Heritage jack. This is a large well built once that opens very easily. You mentioned having tried the GEC #15 and this one opens much easier than any boys knife or Charlow that I own. It's also has a bigger frame and blade than the 15. I have read here that the most recent Heritage series knives have softer pulls.

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Woodrow mentioned the Michael Morris friction folder. It too is a nice little package. Mine is rather stiff and requires a decent amount of pressure on the tang to get it open. I'm certain this is by design to prevent the knife from opening in your pocket and to aid staying open when in use. I'm not sure if it will loosen up over time. Best to ask Michael yourself if you want to pursue this one.

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Next up is the GEC #68 white owl and #62 maverick. Without going into a lot of detail both have nice mellow pulls. Considering that the size of the 15 was an issue these two will likely be the same.

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The Opinel and Victorinox knives are good candidates. Both are easy to open and available in various sizes.

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If you don't mind imports I have this Boker that opens very easily. It's a smaller knife so consider that piece if interested.

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And the Rough Ruder dogbone jack.

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If you like the trapperlock also check out the Boker copperliner. No pic since it's not a true traditional.
Good luck to you and keep us up to date with your choices.

Brian
 
willgoy said:
Stan, the Chambriard is easy to open but really quite hard to shut! So, you may have to ponder that one. Some excellent handle options on this knife and filework too.

I've been thinking about buying a GEC Cuban Pen, it's around 4.25" single spring and two blades, plenty to get hold of but I don't know what the W&T is like.

An EZ-Open 85 from GEC is well worth considering, I think it's big enough to get a good grip on, about 3.8"

Thanks, Will
Click to expand...

The #53 Pen has a smooth opening main blade but the pen might be a little tough as its very thin so the nail nick isn't that deep.

Another one to consider is the GEC #48 of which I'm a big fan. GEC will be coming out with some new ones in a few weeks but you can still find a few of the 440C knives around and even a few older ones if you look hard enough. In my experience, I've got more than 50 of them, they're easy to open especially the 440C ones. Just smaller than the #12 Toothpick at 3 7/8" closed but the main blade makes up for it by being 1/8" longer than the #12.
 
I've basically been doing the same as you since a year ago now, and one pattern I have grown to favor is the Northfield 85 Bullet End Jacks. I did not think I would be a fan of the wide spearpoint blade, so I pretty much ignored the pattern until last spring when I picked up a SFO linerlock 85 single blade jack from collectorknives.net. Once I got one, I really grew to like everything about it. The Easy Open feature makes it a cinch to open. My latest is a SFO 85 Real Harness knife which does not have the easy open feature, but it feels great in the hand and is just at easy to pinch open none the less. At first I did not find the 85 pattern to be aesthetically pleasing to my eye, but once I held one and started to use it, I think it is one of the nicer looking and more classic patterns out there. The 85 and the #15 barlows are currently my favorite GEC patterns. Try out an 85...you might be surprised :)

I still have yet to pick up a toothpick which is a pattern I find to be very appealing.

Northfield SFO #85 Real Harness Knife..
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Northfield SFO #85 Two Blade Jack with secondary Coping..(I no longer own this one)
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Linerlock SFO 85..
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Antique Yellow Jigged Bone SFO 85..(I no longer own this one)
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While I absorb all the suggestions here, I need to add that I omitted a couple knives.

Opinel - I just received my second one yesterday, and have a third on the way. My first was a No 8, and just received the No 9 which seems to be a perfect size for me. I have a No 10 slim on the way. The Opinels work very well for me and I also plan on carving in an easy open notch for them.

Fixed Blade - I do have an assortment of them and really like them all. Also I am trying to follow an old western theme with my collection which is easy and cheap. The last 2 fixed blade older knives I bought were ~$15!

I am going to read and absorb all the comments this afternoon and post back with my thoughts.

Thanks for everything so far everyone - what a great group we have here!
 
the mercator black cat has a pretty easy pull but it can be a little stiff to unlock. its a very functional knife and not 'pretty' in the classic sense like some of the other things listed.
also what about svord peasant knives?
 
Stan.....another brand you might consider is Canal Street Cutlery. I have their Half Moon single blade trapper and it is one of my easiest opening knives. Pull is on the light side but consistent and positive. It is 3 3/4" closed.


 
I also have a Canal Street (the lockback version), and it's very easy to pinch open, even without the EO feature.
It's a very nice knife, and it might work for you.
I also second the idea of another friction folder. I don't know if they suit your taste, and yes I'm blowing my own horn, but Sardinian traditionals are easy to open :p

Fausto
:cool:
 
The A.G Russell Sowbelly Trapper has a lot of blade to pinch and the pull is actually soft. To keep the pinchability you might prefer the single blade version (clip point or wharncliffe). And you'll benefit from the excellent ergonomics of the handle... The A.G. Cowboy also is a great pattern (but not so traditional...), although the pull is a bit stronger. If you're going into Laguioles, try to test one before buying : the pull is usually quite strong and closing requires some effort (it's not a slipjoint, it's a hook/notch joint). In this kind of style, Fontenille-Pataud makes the Capuchadou : a kind of Laguiole with a nice meaty handle and plenty of blade to pinch. Pull is medium/strong but closing is "strong" all the same (hook/notch joint again).
 
Coaltrain, have you tried Queen's locking Country Cousin? Likely it has a lighter pull than the non-locking version.
 
The Opinel's while they are inexpensive, they certainly can CUT don't they ;) and yep, the Chambriards are a little tasty in the wallet department, but then, figure a few tanks of gas now adays and you have it covered, but, do we really need these pretty things? heck yeah, life is short, getting shorter by the minute, but we shouldn't go overboard, which is one reason I'm trying to trim back my collection and while I tout myself as not being a true collector, I'm finding that the Chambriards are some that I guess I've fallen into the Collectors bucket, could be a worse addiction for sure, but, I only buy when I can afford, so that usually take selling other things to fund or just plain saving in a jar until I have it covered :)

And while the Chambriards may not be the fastest to close but I think you indicated that it's the trying to pull open that gives your hands the most trouble and the close may not be as hard to do? In any case you'll want to keep both of those in mind, while the Chambriards have a half stop, I find it a 'soft move' half stop, not a sudden throw to the half position as some knives do.

G2
 
Surprised that the Case Copperlock hasn't come up. Very pinchable, yet locks. Slim and pocketable with very nice ergos. And one of the best looking clip blades in the business. Can even find a wharnie if you like.
 
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